Egusi, okra, cowpea, others now in space as NASA’s Crew-11 Mission is launched

National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) said that Nigeria participated National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA’s) Crew-11 Mission, which launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, the United States; and went along with egusi, okra, and other Nigerian crop seeds.

According to NASRDA, the NASA’s Crew-11 Mission had on board six indigenous Nigerian crop seeds include melon (otherwise egusi), okra, cowpea, guinea corn (sorghum), amaranth and maize.

NASRDA said that the seeds were chosen for their nutritional and agricultural significance.

NASA is an independent agency of the US federal government responsible for the United States’s civil space program, aeronautics research and space research.

The agency said, “The mission, which features the World Seeds Payload, is a pioneering international agricultural experiment led by Jaguar Space, with contributions from 11 countries, including Nigeria.

“The seeds will be studied aboard the International Space Station, ISS, under microgravity conditions to explore their behaviour, resilience, and potential in future space-based farming, critical research aimed at addressing climate resilience, global food security, and agricultural innovation beyond Earth.

“Representing Nigeria at the launch is Olayinka Fagbemiro, assistant director, nternational Cooperation, NASRDA, and Linkages and project lead on the initiative.

“She oversaw every stage of Nigeria’s participation, from seed selection to logistics and formal international engagement.

“This is our first biological payload aboard a crewed NASA mission to the ISS.

“It not only validates years of local research on plant life in simulated space environments but also underscores NASRDA’s growing role in global scientific collaboration. This mission exemplifies inclusive, culturally grounded space research, and highlights the leadership role that emerging space nations such as Nigeria can play in shaping humanity’s future beyond Earth.”